W. Va Attorney Encouraged By Gay Marriage Rulings

An attorney whose group is challenging West Virginia's ban on same-sex marriages says she's encouraged by recent federal rulings overturning such prohibitions in Oklahoma and Utah.

New York-based gay rights group Lambda Legal contends West Virginia's Defense of Marriage Act violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Huntington in October on behalf of three same-sex couples and the child of one couple.

Lambda Legal attorney Beth Littrell in Atlanta says she believes the Oklahoma and Utah rulings give the plaintiffs additional arguments to persuade the judge that West Virginia's ban is unconstitutional.

She says "the momentum is certainly in our favor.''

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office has intervened as a defendant in the case. A Morrisey spokeswoman declined comment Wednesday.

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